1. Based on the latest numbers from Eurostat (covering 2010), about 263 TWh of German electricity was produced from solid fuels(1). This number represents almost 42 % of the gross electricity generation in Germany which in 2010 amounted to almost 630 TWh. Within the group of German electricity generated from solid fuels in 2010, lignite represented 55 %, other bituminous coal stood at 37 %, coking coal and anthracite contributed to 5 % and 2.5 % and the remaining share (0.5 %) came from peat briquettes.

2. Member States have the basic responsibility for the choice of their energy mix. The motives for energy mix choices are not commented on by the Commission.

3. Directive 2010/75/EU(2) on Industrial Emissions (IED) entered into force on 06/01/2011.  This directive will replace Directive 2001/80/EC on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from large combustion plants (LCP) as of 01/01/2016. From the same date, the IED will apply to existing combustion plants (for new plants it will apply from 07/01/2013). According to the available information, Germany will transpose the IED by the required deadline. The national law will afterwards be subject to conformity checking, and its practical implementation will also be closely followed up. At this stage the Commission cannot predict the level of compliance in terms of transposition and implementation.

(1) According to the combined Eurostat, IEA and UN Annual questionnaire, the group of solid fossil fuels contains the following products: 1) Hard Coal (including coking coal, anthracite and other bituminous coal); 2) Sub-Bituminous Coal; 3) Lignite/Brown Coal and 4) Peat. (2) Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) (Recast) — OJ L 334, 17.12.2010.